A bill referred to as SB 1138, sponsored by the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine and Social Compassion in Legislation, and introduced by Senator Nancy Skinner, would require California state prisons and health care facilities to provide plant-based meal options at every meal. This means no animal products or by-products, like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy.

On August 29th, at the California assembly, the bill passed 69-9, and will now be moved to Governor Jerry Brown to be signed into law. Senator Skinner explains how important bill SB 1138 is to California because it makes, “sure that those who can’t prepare or buy their own meals have access to a plant based meal.” She also says that, “When I go to lunch I can choose food that meets my health, ethical, or diet choices, but people in a hospital bed or prison often can’t.”

Others, like Assemblymember Ash Kalra, are wholeheartedly offering their Support of Skinner’s bill. Kalra says that, “I am happy to lend my Support to SB 1138, and I appreciate the efforts to raise awareness about the virtues of adopting diets that have long demonstrated their societal, health, and environmental benefits.”

By offering healthy meal options at both prisons and hospitals, it will give both patients and prisoners the chance to increase their health. Susan Levin, director of nutrition education for the PCRM explains that, “Providing plant-based meals won’t just help patients and prisoners fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease; it could save hospitals and prisons thousands of dollars a year.”

In fact, because vegetarian meals cost about 50% less than meat entrees, a savings of 5,000 dollars a year has been projected!

The future is looking bright for the state of California thanks to Skinner’s bill!

Interested in cooking plant-based meals?

The future is vegan with plant based options popping up in school cafeterias, and now even hospitals and prisons! Why not learn to whip up some plant-based meals of your own with recipes from our Food Monster App?

Nourishing Black Bean Burger with Thousand Island Dressing

Image Source: Nourishing Black Bean Burgers with Thousand Island Dressing

This black bean burger with a zesty plant-based thousand island dressing will be sure to impress anyone, regardless of their dietary preferences. It’s hearty, healthy, and super easy to prepare as well!

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper and Mushroom Sauce 

Image Source: Creamy Roasted Red Pepper and Mushroom Sauce

This decadent, creamy sauce is made with cashews with an essence of cheesiness thanks to nutritional yeast. This sauce can be thrown over any pasta of your choice, or even a bowl of rice!

Copycat Girl Scout Samoa Cookies

Image Source: Copycat Girl Scout Samoa Cookies

Who said you can’t enjoy Girl Scout cookies on a plant-based diet? These Samoa cookies taste like the real thing, but are much lighter and rather healthy!

For more news stories like This School’s Initiative To Add Vegan Options has Been a Huge Success, we recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

Lead Image Source: Montgomery County Planning Commission/Flickr